Switch point rail



June 14, G H LAMBQRN 1,863,491

SWITCH POINT RAIL Filed July 15, 1951 Patented June 14, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE H. LAMBORN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO LOUISVILLE FROG, SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF KENTUCKY S'WITOI-I POINT RAIL Application filed July 13,

This invention relates to switch point rails, more particularly to a reclaimed switch point rail structure as well as the elements of the latter, and has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a reclaimed switch point rail having its point of greater durability than that of the point of the rail when the latter was in its original state.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a reclaimed switch point rail structure including an insert constituting the point section thereof and with such insert formed from a portion of an old worn track rail.

A further object of the invention resides in the reclaiming of worn, damaged or impaired switch point rails to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a reclaimed switch rail structure and which is so carried out that the operation of reclaiming to provide the structure is had at a materially less cost than the manner in which reclaiming of damaged or impaired switch point rails is now performed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the insert or filler forming the point section of the reclaimed switch point rail structure in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the structure illustrating the sections thereof nonwelded.

Figure-3 is aview looking towards the inner end of the insert.

Figure 4 is a top plan of the structure.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the insert.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of the rail section.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional View of the structure with the sections thereof not welded.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the structure.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the structure.

The reclaimed switch point rail structure,

formed from an impaired or damaged switch point rail and an insert, filler or point section 1931. Serial No. 550,528.

2 formed from a portion of an old worn track rail and which is hereinafter referred to as an insert. The rail section 1 is conditioned to receive the insert 2 and the latter com-' pletes the damaged rail to provide the reclaimed switch point rail structure. The section 1 and insert 2 are welded together to provide an integral and durable unit. The reclaimed rail structure also includes a reinforcing strap 20 and welding material 26, 27 and 27.

The rail section 1 includes a head or ball 3, a web 4, a reduced web portion 5, a base flange 6 and a base flange 7 The portion 5 extends outwardly from the head 3 and web 4. The flanges 6 and 7 are coextensive with the web 4 and reduced web portion 5. The flange 6 is of uniform width. The flange 7 decreases in width towards the outer end of the reduced web portion 5, and the latter has its top edge beveled or angled, as at 8 from end to end. The inner end part of the top edge of portion 5 is curved upwardly as at 10. The outer end edge of head 3 is formed with oppositely inclined or angled, vertical portions or parts, as at 11, 12. The width of portion 11 is greater than that of portion 12. The beveled top edge of web portion 5 merges into and is of less width than angled portion 11. The reduced web portion 5 provides section '1 with a recess. 7 v

The insert 2 is of T-shape cross section and comprises a head 13 and a stem 14. The head 13 tapers'towards its outer end and has its rear end formed with oppositely inclined or angled, vertical portions or parts 15, 16 and with the former of greater width than the latter. The bottom edge portion of stem 14 is beveled as at 17. The rear end edge portion of the stem 14 is curved upwardly, as

at 19 and is beveled in the same manner as the bottom edge portion of stem 14. The beveled portion 19 of stem 14 merges into and is of less width than angled portion 15. Secured to and depending from stem 14 is the reinforcing strap 20 which is to be secured to 'web portion 5. as shown includes a recessed rail section 1 The strap 20 is never removed and the rail, insert and strap are clamped together before welding is started and the strap serves as a backing strip for the arc weld to be referred to. The strap 20 forms a very good service in the progress of reclamation by welding. The strap is substantially partially welded to both the insert and the rail. No attempt is made to make this a perfect or permanent weld, but if the weld is properly done the strap will be pretty thoroughly welded to the finished point along the center of the web. No further welding is done on the strap.

The reinforcing strap extends along the greater portion of the point and in some cases the whole length of the point. The strap 1s fastened to the switch point by rivets or machine bolts or a number of each. One operation in the process of reclaiming a switch point is the drilling of the bolt and rivet holes that have been filled up in the weldlng process. Some of these holes are for the attachment of bridge lugs and the rest are for the passage of holdfast devices to secure the reinforcing strap in position. D

The strap 20 serves as a backing strip for the electric weld at the center of the Web between the insert and the web portion 5. The reinforcing strap is always present on the side of the point which lies away from the stock rail. 1

The point formed by the inclined portions 11, 12 is indicated at 22 and the point formed between the inclined portions 15, 16 is indicated at 23. When the insert is positioned relatively to section 1 the inclined portions 11, 12 are arranged opposite and incline away from the inclined portions 15, 16 respectively and the point 22 opposes in spaced relation the point 23, When the insert is positioned relatively tothe rail section 1 a V-shaped groove 24 extending lengthwise and upwardlyof the web is provided and a pair of oppositely. disposed vertical V-grooves 25 are formed between the head of the insert and head of the rail. The bottoms or bases of th grooves 24, 25 are open when the insert is positioned within the recess provided by the cutout portion of section 1.

I The bottom of the V-groove is left open about. is average, and the top of the lgroove 24 not over The reason for this is to eliminate as much of pull due to welding as possible. It will be supposed that the rail to be completed is positioned in a manner whereby the web thereof will be vertically disposed. Now if the insert is clamped in so its web will be vertically disposed and in perfect alignment with the web of the rail, then after the weld is made the insert would be pulled towards the welded side of the weld will pull it into proper aligning posiheat of gtion. The position of the insert prior to welding is as shown in Figure 7.

The first step is to remove from the rail or section 1, the worn portion of the point with an acetylene cutting torch to form the rail with a recess. a This will cause the part of the rail below the cut to warp upward due to the Next heat the rail where the cut ends and bend the part mentioned down slightly below proper alignment, as the welding later will pull it back up as hereinbefore explained. The surfaces which have been out are machined or ground to remove scale and oxides and also to remove the thin layer of metal which has been heated to a high temperature and will be found to be full of a network of fine cracks. These cracks are caused by the sudden expansion of the metal next to the flame when cutting is done. It is heated to a melting temperature very quickly and then cools quite quickly. The result is the cracks mentioned are eflaced and the surface is very hard and brittle. The rail is now ready to receive the insert. The insert is made by cutting a piece of the correct size and, shape from a piece of scrap track rail of the correct section. The insert is then subjected to a heat treatment which consists in heating it to about 1400 deg. F., holding it at that temperature for about 15 minutes and allowing it to cool slowly. After cooling the portions of the insert which come within the weld (the surfaces upon which metal is to be-deposited) are ground or machined for the same reasons as referred to in connection with rail or section 1. The insertis now ready for use.

The insert is now positioned at an angle in a manner as referred to with respect to web portion 5 and clamped in such position. Electric arc welding is then the first operation.- A number of small welds known as tacks are made along the V-groove in the web, after which the clamps are removed and the electric weld is'started at the free end of the rail known as the point and rogresses toward the butt. The area bor ering the groove is heat treated duringv the welding. The next operation is an acetylene weld at the V-grooves formed between the head of the insert and head of the'rail. The whole area surrounding this weld is first heated and then the acetylene welding is started on the same side of the rail as was the electric arc Weld. The heated portion is kept hot asthe weld progresses. This is necessary to prevent cracking of the weld and distortion of the rail. "This weld must not be stopped or delayed after once begun. When the first side or filling of one vertical V-groove is completed the rail is turned over and the other side at the head welded at the other vertical V-groove keeping the heat in the rail all the while as described. The rail is now ready for machining and such redrilling etc., as will be found necessary to make it conform to specifications.

N0 heat treatment, other than that as stated of the rail is done at any time. The insert is heat treated before application to the rail.

What I claim is 1. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section including a tapered head and a stem including a bottom and front and rear end edges, said head having its inner end oppositely angled, the inner ends of the angled portions of the head merging into each other to provide a point rearwardly of the outer ends of such portions, and said stem having its bottom and rear end edges beveled.

2. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section including a tapered head and a stem, said head having its inner end oppositely angled, and said stem having its bottom and rear end edge beveled, the angled portions on the rear end of the head being disposed at an angle to the beveled edge portions.

3. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section including a tapered head and a stem, said head having its inner end oppositely angled, said stem having its bottom and rear end edge beveled, the oppositely extending angled portions on the head being of different lengths.

4. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section including a tapered head and a stem, said head having its inner end oppositely angled, said stem having its bottom and rear end edge beveled, the angled portions on the rear end of the head being disposed at an angle to the angled portions on said stem, the oppositely extending angled portions on the head being of different lengths.

5. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section including a tapered head and stem, said head having its inner end oppositely angled, said stem having its bottom and rear end edge beveled, and a strap secured to one side of the stem and depending below the bottom thereof.

6. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section including a tapered head and a stem, said head having its inner end oppositely angled, said stem having its bottom and rear end edge beveled, the angled portions on the rear end of the head being disposed at an angle to the beveled edge portions, and a strap secured to one side of the stem and depending below the bottom thereof.

7. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section including a tapered head and a stem, said head having its inner end oppositely angled, said stem having its bottom and rear end edge beveled, the oppositely extending angled portions on the being disposed at an angle to the angled portions on said stem, the oppositely extending angled portions on the head being of difierent lengths, and a strap secured to one side of the stem and depending below the bottom thereof.

9. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section including a tapered head and a stem, said section having oppositely extending vertically dlsposed angle portions of different lengths at the inner end of its head, said angled portions extending towards each other at opposite inward inclinations from their outer ends.

10. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section having coextensive with one edge thereof a point disposed to one side of the longitudinal median thereof, and the portions of said section extending from said point being at opposite inclinations.

11. In a reclaimed switch point rail structure, a switch point section having coextensive with one edge thereof a point disposed to one side of the longitudinal median thereof, and the portion of said section extending from said point bein at opposite inclinations, said sections incIuding a tapered head and a stem, said point formed on the stem and head. I

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

GEORGE H. LAMBORN. 

